oh no! not another political post...

Don't worry... I'm not going to talk about any particular party or candidate. I think we've all had enough of that and I know I'm not the only one that is glad to see the election process end today. But this is the last time I can say anything about politics for awhile because it would sound silly to talk about it after today. Bear with me.

I am amazed I would want to say anything at all. Before this election, talk about anything political would not have happened with me. I have never felt comfortable with politics, and there's still a part of me that isn't. I have found that most political conversations don't accomplish much except judgement and division.

But this election was different from previous ones. I have found an interest in politics that I have never had before. I've been trying to figure out why and I've come up with a couple of reasons.

One, this election has been so different in that a we saw a popular woman running against the first African American and a fairly large number of republicans throwing their hat in the ring in the beginning. Then history being made with the first African American candidate who ends up having a good chance at being elected President. And not to be outdone, the Republicans picking a woman - a pit bull of a woman - for the role of Vice President. From these standpoints, it's all been very exciting and I didn't even mention some of the major issues that have become so important to the country.

The second reason I accredit to the Internet. It has been so easy for me to research candidates and issues. Facts and opinions are plentiful if you're willing to dig a little and keep an open mind. I've spent a lot of time online reading up on both candidates and many, many issues. It has helped me get a clearer picture of who our two candidates are.

There's a third reason, and that is that both of my kids are voting for the first time in their lives. They're new to the process of listening to the candidates, doing their own research, and deciding who they want to vote for. We've had many conversations over the last 21 months (yes, it's been that long since the campaigning first began) and I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed the great discussions we've had and watching them form their own opinions.

A few days ago, Don and Danielle were discussing some of our local amendments. Don was explaining some of the intricacies of some complicated issues. She listened intently and asked many questions. I loved watching this interaction. A little bit later, she asked me something about one of the issues and then told me she didn't know if she agreed with her dad on some of the issues.

Woo-hoo! This made my heart smile. I want my kids to be independent thinkers. I don't want them to think a certain way or make any decision just because that's the way mom or dad think. And I am thrilled that they've taken this election seriously and see voting as a privilege that they want to be a part of.

My blessing today is that I live in a country that is built on democracy and gives it's citizens the freedom to vote for it's officials. The added blessing is that my children are now a part of this process.


Blessing #2 in a month's worth of blessings